Aligned Annual Report
In 2024, Aligned continued its steadfast commitment to improving education policy in Missouri and Kansas, expanding access to quality learning opportunities, and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students. This year marked a significant milestone with the passage of Senate Bill 727, Missouri’s largest-ever investment in early childhood education. This legislation allocates up to $117 million annually to expand state-funded pre-kindergarten for children from low-income families — a testament to Aligned’s decade of dedicated advocacy and coalition-building.< In addition to this achievement, Aligned advanced key initiatives to strengthen K-12 education systems. Notably, new Missouri legislation now allows teacher compensation based on expertise, providing school leaders with critical tools to address staffing shortages in rural and urban communities. In Kansas, Aligned proposed a statewide data system designed to improve pathways from education to the workforce. With the addition of three new full-time staff members, Aligned is poised to deepen its impact in both states. Looking ahead, the organization remains focused on strengthening early childhood systems, expanding equitable school choice options, and modernizing school finance to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
